Venus Williams is No. 2 in the world after this week behind her younger sister Serena, but you wouldn’t know it by her poor play this year (for a Williams sister) in clutch situations — amidst the failure of any of the current or former No. 1s to step up to the plate on the WTA Tour. On Sunday in Madrid, Venus lost in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 to Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai.

In a final where tennis fashion threw up, Rezai contested the championship in a shiny gladiator outfit, a copper and black ensemble resembling a waitress at “Gladiator: The Movie and Dining Experience” in Orlando. Venus wore a red and black short bordello outfit, looking like a woman showing up for work in an old west cathouse.

Usually the punisher, Venus was the punished on Sunday on the receiving end of Rezai’s baseline fury, rarely leaving a short ball anything short of a winner. Rezai has now beaten the elder Williams sister in two of their last three meetings. The unseeded Frenchwoman topped two former No. 1s in Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic en route to the final.

“She played well, congratulations,” said a disappointed Venus after the final.

Venus in 2010 has suffered a number of blowouts, and has shown a disconcerting inability to close out opportunities — such as Sunday, leading 5-2 in the second set, but letting slip six (6) set points before losing the set and the match 7-5.

Other Venus lowlights this year have including losing at the Australian Open to Na Li; getting blown out in the Miami final 6-2, 6-1 to Kim Clijsters; and losing 6-0, 6-1 to Jankovic in Rome. Sister Serena has had a similarly rollercoaster year while some holding onto the No. 1 ranking when as of May playing only four events.

Clijsters will miss the French Open with injury, but otherwise the coin toss that is the battle of former and current No. 1s vying for titles on the WTA Tour will continue in Paris at Roland Garros.

Can you at all focus on the positive? Yes, it is disappointing that Venus has failed to be clutch and close out these matches. However, Venus has a great match record so far this year and is enjoying her best season in a long time. I think for a soon to be 30 year old, she’s headed in the right direction and if she stays fit should continue to play well and I think outplay even Serena! Don’t be surprised if Vee winds up #1 at some point this year.

There is nothing positive to discuss Eric is 110% correct. Venus is a great champion and it is just sad she is losing to players such as Rezai. I thought this victory was going to be easy for Venus. I am stunned! Yes, Rezai played well but Venus has a huge lead and blew it. I agree, it seems to me that Venus mental toughness is gone. Venus just can`t win in the clutch situations anymore.

“tennis fashion threw up” LOL – so true. What was with that tennis outfit of Rezai’s? That gold lame was just fugly. And while Venus looks nice in red, her dress is a little Mae West-ish. Great run for Rezai though. Maybe now she can get a good dress. ; )

Quit making excuses for the Williams sisters…no one plays perfect tennis 100% of the time. They are not exempt! Aravan Rezai took it to her and won the match…kudos to her. Give credit where it is due, jerk!

This win will put Rezai in the top 20: am very curious about her chances at the FO. I’m not sure who is the fave heading into that event? Maybe JJ? Venus? Sanchez? Henin? Serean? Not sure what to think.

To mmm: LOL, and you’re correct that Rezai deserves the credit. I had never seen Rezai play before this week, and I was astonished at how talented and aggressive she is. She simply outplayed Justine, Jelena and Venus, and I will not be surprised if she is top 5 someday.